Autos blame winter for refusing fares

On day 76 of MiD DAY's Meter Down campaign, commuters expressed their grievances in finding autos that are ready to ferry them to nearby places; called on RTO officials to take stringent action against errant auto drivers

Place: Borivli Station (East and West)Time: 10 am-11.40 am and 6.30 pm-7.15 pmOffenders caught: 8Commuters speakNarsimha Gupta said, "I had to attend a meeting. But thanks to the rickshaw drivers here, I'm going to get late for it."

Suhasini Mahadik said, "The moment an out-station train halts at Borivli, all the auto drivers prefer plying only passengers who alight from the train, as it gives them a chance to make an extra buck by charging them for luggage. However, in the bargain, it's the short distance commuters who suffer the most. It's time for the authorities to take stringent action against errant drivers."

Vedanta Mahajani said, "Refusals from auto drivers have become an integral part of our lives. RTO must initiate action against drivers who discriminate between short distance and long distance passengers."

Subhangi Raut said, "Since the drivers know that they are in demand, especially during morning and evening peak hours, they utilise the opportunity to exploit poor passengers."

Auto drivers speakRajaram Yadav: "The passenger is unnecessarily venting out her frustration on me. I neither said yes, nor did I refuse her. But still she approached the cops and lodged a complaint against me."